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New RAM doesn't show in control panel/system

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - New RAM doesn't show in control panel/system

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gorrath   09-26-2008 at 02:20:50 AM

Hi

I just added 2 gig of DDR2 667MHz to my PC but when I check in control panel/system it still says 2 gig instead of 4 gigs.

When I reboot my PC and go into the setup it shows I have 4 gigs of RAM.

I downloaded this program:

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

It told me I had 4 gigs of RAM

So why can't I see it in control panel/system?

Is my PC really running on the 4 gigs now or do I need to do something else to make it works?

Thanks

Patrick

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kamkal   09-26-2008 at 05:20:04 AM
- 0 +


are u using windows XP or windows vista 32-bit?

you can check which version of vista you have by going to control panel -> system

it will say something like "32-bit operating system"

usually 32bit OS cant see past a certain amount of system mem

Reply to kamkal
gorrath   09-26-2008 at 05:22:31 AM
- 0 +

I'm using XP SP2

I don't have a clue about the number of bit though...lol

Reply to gorrath
kamkal   09-26-2008 at 05:32:03 AM
- -1 +

Xp is 32 bit

thats probably why the OS cant see the memory

on my machine if i put in 4gb i only see like 2.85 gb or something cuz im using Xp as well




Message quoted 1 times
Reply to kamkal
Zorg   09-26-2008 at 05:34:33 AM
- 0 +

You won't see all 4G, but you should see ~3G+ depending on how much RAM your video card has. Try pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click on the performance tab. Look at Total Physical Memory at the bottom right. That is how much RAM that XP sees.

 

Ask Dan: What's with the 3Gb memory barrier?

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Zorg on 09-26-2008 at 05:35:41 AM
Reply to Zorg
dallasjoh   09-26-2008 at 05:39:40 AM
- -1 +

wrong post


Message edited by dallasjoh on 09-26-2008 at 05:41:07 AM
------------------------------ http://valid.x86-secret.com/cache/banner/450637.png
 Reply to dallasjoh
gorrath   09-26-2008 at 05:40:27 AM
- 0 +

kamkal wrote :

Xp is 32 bit

thats probably why the OS cant see the memory

on my machine if i put in 4gb i only see like 2.85 gb or something cuz im using Xp as well




It can't see it but it's still using it or is it just wasted?

Reply to gorrath
RetiredChief   09-26-2008 at 05:45:30 AM
- 0 +

gorrath, I think you would know if yo have XP 64 Bit operating system.

I have Win XP 32 Bit with 4 gigs of Ram. Task manager under performance shows I have 3.4 Gigs available for program use, this is a X4870 Grphics card with 512 megs of Ram.

3.2 to 3.6 Gigs out of 4 gigs installed is typical. Users with high end (1 gig VDRAM) and depending on I/O devices usually run 2.8 -> 3.2 Gigs. May need to change memory allocation in BIOS.

Edit - I see Zorg Beat me to it will I was typing.


Message edited by RetiredChief on 09-26-2008 at 05:47:57 AM
Reply to RetiredChief
gorrath   09-26-2008 at 05:48:18 AM
- 0 +


Operating System
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)

System Model
Dell Inc. Dell DXG051
System Service Tag: DG2H1B1 (support for this PC)
Chassis Serial Number: DG2H1B1
Enclosure Type: Tower

Processor
3,00 gigahertz Intel Pentium D
16 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Main Circuit Board
Board: Dell Inc. 0XH241
Serial Number: ..CN1374061J00GR.
Bus Clock: 800 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Inc. A08 04/07/2006

Drives
320,02 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
238,02 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

DJ1303G BJF946M SCSI CdRom Device [CD-ROM drive]
HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B [CD-ROM drive]
SONY DVD-ROM DDU1615 [CD-ROM drive]

WDC WD3200KS-75PFB0 [Hard drive] (320,07 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WCAPD1272586, rev 21.00M21, SMART Status: Healthy

Memory Modules
2046 Megabytes Installed Memory (Damn!!)

Slot 'DIMM_1' has 1024 MB (serial number F32C9A5B)
Slot 'DIMM_3' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM_2' has 1024 MB (serial number F32C9A9E)
Slot 'DIMM_4' has 2048 MB (serial number 252700FC)


Message edited by gorrath on 09-26-2008 at 05:50:20 AM
Reply to gorrath
gorrath   09-26-2008 at 05:50:03 AM
- 0 +

Oh and my crappy video card is:

NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS

But I was planning on updating this to a 9600GT or a 8800GT

Reply to gorrath
gorrath   09-26-2008 at 05:53:10 AM
- 0 +

Zorg wrote :

You won't see all 4G, but you should see ~3G+ depending on how much RAM your video card has. Try pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click on the performance tab. Look at Total Physical Memory at the bottom right. That is how much RAM that XP sees.

Ask Dan: What's with the 3Gb memory barrier?



Total physical memory: 2094556

Grrrrr!

Reply to gorrath
kamkal   09-26-2008 at 06:05:34 AM
- 0 +


if it cant see it, its not using it, it has no way to address it

here's a link to a better explanation

http://blogs.msdn.com/hiltonl/arch [...] oblem.aspx



Reply to kamkal
Zorg   09-26-2008 at 07:50:23 AM
- 0 +

Your problem is not the addressing problem that is related to the 32bit OS. I believe your problem is related to the 2GB stick that you put in the 4th slot. It may be related to the max of that mobo. I would say not but it is a Dell and OEMs have been known to pull crap like that. You can call Dell and ask them the max of the mobo and slot. You can try the 2G stick in slot 2, and then try a 1G stick in slot 2. The mobo may also only be able to take one gig sticks.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Zorg on 09-26-2008 at 08:36:58 AM
Reply to Zorg
gorrath   09-26-2008 at 02:00:28 PM
- 0 +

Zorg wrote :

Your problem is not the addressing problem that is related to the 32bit OS. I believe your problem is related to the 2GB stick that you put in the 4th slot. It may be related to the max of that mobo. I would say not but it is a Dell and OEMs have been known to pull crap like that. You can call Dell and ask them the max of the mobo and slot. You can try the 2G stick in slot 2, and then try a 1G stick in slot 2. The mobo may also only be able to take one gig sticks.



Someone told me it could because you're supposed to put stick in pairs, is that true?

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to gorrath
gorrath   09-26-2008 at 02:14:47 PM
- 0 +

I tried removing my 1 gig stick in slot 2 and putting the 2 gig stick in it instead.
I didn't put the other 1 gig stick.

It still says I have 2 gigs only.

I guess I'll bring that 2 gigs stick back to Future Shop and get a refund...

Reply to gorrath
roadrunner197069   09-26-2008 at 02:39:25 PM
- 0 +

Your mobo probably supports 4G max. Therefore it aint compatible with 2G sticks.

Reply to roadrunner197069
Zorg   09-26-2008 at 06:20:46 PM
- 0 +

gorrath wrote :

Someone told me it could because you're supposed to put stick in pairs, is that true?

No, it's probably the 2G stick. As I said, try a 1G stick in slot 2. You can put two additional 1G sticks in, but then you will be limited by the 3G barrier. You will probably get ~3.25G so the last stick will only give you a little. The only reason to have them in pairs is to enable dual channel operation. The gain from this is nothing to loose sleep over. Just add one stick to slot 2 and move on.

Reply to Zorg
gamerk316   09-26-2008 at 06:51:55 PM
- 0 +

Half you guys are missing the problem here:

This is NOT a 3.25 problem. He had 2GB. He put 2GB in. He still has 2GB, not 3.25.

I'm guessing the mobo has a limit on the amount/type of RAM it can take. Try the 2GB stick by itself and see if you can even boot. If not, than its something with that particular stick on that particular mobo.

Reply to gamerk316
Zorg   09-27-2008 at 01:41:53 AM
- 0 +

Did you read the whole thread?

I'm pretty sure this was covered. :lol:

Reply to Zorg
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